Size-Distribution Study of Piledriver Particles
Abstract
Two samples of chimney rubble totaling over 5,000 lb were obtained during the post-shot exploration at Piledriver. These samples of broken granite underwent screen analysis, a radioactivity distribution study, and cursory leaching tests to determine the solubility of specific nuclides. The chimney was 160 ft in radius and 890 ft high. An injection of radioactive melt was encountered at 300 ft from shot point. Radiochemical analyses determined that the yield of the Piledriver nuclear device was 61 +/- 10 kt. The two samples were screened into 25 different size-fractions. An average of the particle-size data from the samples showed that 17 percent of the material is between 20 mesh and 1 in.; 40 percent between 1 and 6 in.; and 30 percent between 6 in. and 3 ft. The amount of minus 100-mesh material is less than 1.5 percent. The distribution of radioactivity in different particle size-fractions is inversely proportional to particle size. Small-scale batch-leaching tests showed that 25 percent of the radioactivity could be removed in a few hours by a film- percolation leach using distilled water; 40 percent if dilute acid were used.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- ADA382424
Entities
People
- David D. Rabb
Organizations
- University of California